Month: March 2018

The ongoing legal debate over a World War I memorial in Maryland has just entered a crucial phase. The American Legion, in its effort to preserve the monument after an appeals court deemed its existence illegal, is taking the fight to SCOTUS. This is dramatic news for the monument censorship debate, and potentially a watershed moment for sweeping historical revisionism nationwide. However, none of the major networks seem to care.

The monument is a 40-foot tall, cross that stands as a memorial to the 49 Prince George’s County men who died in the First World War. Inscribed on the cross are the words “valor,” “endurance,” “courage,” and “devotion.” Though it’s stood there nearly a century, an atheist group has sued to force it’s removal from public land.

Last week, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed its ruling “in favor of the American Humanist Association that the massive Christian cross on government property in Bladensburg, Maryland violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.” The fact that a massive Christian symbol exists on public lands shows a governmental preference towards a certain religion, according to the AHA.

AHA Senior Counsel Monica Miller said that the court’s ruling “is a big win not only for separation of church and state, but for all non-Christian veterans who are excluded from an enormous Christian cross war memorial.”

The appeals court ruled that the monument either have its arms removed, or that it be removed from public lands. Despite loud protest from the cross’ supporters, the court agreed on March 2nd that there would be no reconsideration and that the monument must be taken down.

Hiram Sasser, deputy chief counsel for First Liberty (a representative group for American Legion) stated, “We cannot let it be the final word.” And general counsel Adrian Gardner (Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission) claimed that the state agency would “keep open our option to seek review” by the Supreme Court.

What happens after this could have huge implications for a nation steeped in Christian religion and symbolism. SCOTUS has never definitively ruled on the question of religious symbols on public property, and if this ruling stands, can atheists stamp our crosses and Stars of David wherever they appear on public land? Fox News’ Todd Starnes suggested on Tuesday that there “is a very real possibility that war memorial crosses at Arlington National Cemetery could be in jeopardy.”

Discrediting the “legal” terms of the 4th Circuit’s majority and the AHA, Starnes stated that the “Establishment Clause actually allows monuments that include religious symbols and text to stand on public land, according to Van Orden v. Perry.” The AHA, he said, is cloaking itself in the Constitution to make its attack on Christians less visible.

Starnes claimed “You need to understand the American Humanist Association’s ultimate goal — it wants to eradicate any public mention of Christianity. It wants to destroy the Judeo-Christian values and teachings that flavor every one of our founding documents. It has declared war on Christians in America and it will not stop until God and Jesus and the Bible are scrubbed from the public marketplace.”

Hmmm. Sounds like just the kind of important public controversy ABC, CBS, or NBC would love to ignore until a progressive victory is a fait accompli.

Appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America on Tuesday to promote her new children’s book, Chelsea Clinton was treated to predictable fawning coverage. However, what made the softball segment particularly galling was the tone-deaf manner in which co-host Robin Roberts teed up the former first daughter to voice support for the #MeToo movement while not bothering to mention Bill Clinton’s treatment of women.

“March is Women’s History Month and we are celebrating barrier-breakers all around the globe. Former First Daughter and busy mother of two, Chelsea Clinton, is here,” declared Roberts, being interrupted by cheers and applause from the friendly studio audience. The anchor continued: “Her new book, She Persisted Around the World, features 13 incredible women’s stories. I love that, there was no applause sign, that came from the heart from the people here.”

After giving Clinton a couple minutes to sell the book, Roberts wondered about Hillary Clinton: “I know that you said after the election that your mother had some extra time and she was really enjoying being a grandmother and spending time. How is she doing?” Chelsea assured her: “She’s great.”

Roberts followed up by urging Clinton to speak out on the anti-sexual harassment movement across the country: “You’re mother, great advocate for women and girls. You have been the same way, Chelsea. And seeing this #MeToo movement and Time’s Up, what does this past year mean to you?”

Clinton proclaimed: “Well, it means to me that the girls sitting in front of us that hopefully they’re never going to have to have that moment. Because hopefully their voices are gonna be so valued and listened to.” Her comments were greeted with more applause from the crowd.

Amazingly, Clinton’s father being accused by numerous women of sexual harassment and assault was completely ignored. And despite Roberts’ assertion that Hillary Clinton was a “great advocate for women,” nothing was said about the former First Lady’s efforts to denigrate and discredit Bill’s accusers.

Instead, Roberts turned to a group of young girls set to ask Chelsea about her book. The host laughably warned: “I mean, I was tough, but they can be really tough.” Clinton replied: “I’m ready.”

The blatant attempt by ABC to rehabilitate the Clintons, of all people, in the midst of the #MeToo movement is shameless.

Treating Clinton to similar glowing coverage on CBS’s Late Show on Monday, host Stephen Colbert urged her to shout profanity at President Trump on air.

Here is a transcript of the March 6 exchange:

8:21 AM ET

ROBIN ROBERTS: March is Women’s History Month and we are celebrating barrier-breakers all around the globe. Former First Daughter and busy mother of two, Chelsea Clinton, is here. Her new children’s book – [Cheers and applause]

CHELSEA CLINTON: Thank you, thank you.

ROBERTS: Her new book, She Persisted Around the World, features 13 incredible women’s stories. I love that, there was no applause sign, that came from the heart from the people here.

CLINTON: Oh, thank you, Robin.

ROBERTS: Always good to see you, Chelsea.

CLINTON: Thank you, I’m so happy to be here – to be here with you. My first interview since the book came out today. And just to share these remarkable stories of 13 women who have changed the world for the better for all of the children you see today.

(…)

ROBERTS: I know that you said after the election that your mother had some extra time and she was really enjoying being a grandmother and spending time. How is she doing?

CLINTON: She’s great. Aiden calls her Gaga. He can’t quite get grandmother yet. And it’s just so meaningful for me to watch the relationship that my children are developing with my mother because I was so close to my grandmother. And I’m just really thankful that they have that time.

ROBERTS: Who you dedicate the book to, Dorothy.

CLINTON: I dedicate the book to, yes.

ROBERTS: You’re mother, great advocate for women and girls. You have been the same way, Chelsea. And seeing this Me Too movement and Time’s up, what does this past year mean to you?

CLINTON: Well, it means to me that the girls sitting in front of us that hopefully they’re never going to have to have that moment.

ROBERTS: Yeah. [Applause]

CLINTON: Because hopefully their voices are gonna be so valued and listened to. [Applause]

ROBERTS: Well, you want to hear from them?

CLINTON: Yes.

ROBERTS: Okay. I mean, I was tough, but they can be really tough.

CLINTON: I’m ready.

ROBERTS: Okay, where’s Damiana? Damiana? Damiana, where are you?

DAMIANA: Right here.

ROBERTS: Over here?

CLINTON: Oh, right there, with the stars.

ROBERTS: Oh, I know this one. Uh-oh. What’s your question?

DAMIANA: Can you share a story about how you didn’t take no for an answer?

CLINTON: Well, that is a great question. [Applause] That is a great question. I will say, I’m really lucky to always have had parents and my grandmother who always told me that everything just should be yes.

(…)